News

Earlier this week, Sonoma County Airport (STS) announced that United Airlines will begin air service to Denver International Airport (DEN) starting March 8, 2019. Expansion of air service to and from Wine Country is a strategic move for both United and STS. Denver and Sonoma County are popular tourism and business destinations, and Denver is a major United Airlines hub where STS travelers can connect to over 145 destinations on United's expansive worldwide network. Both the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber and its Visit Santa Rosa program were active in enticing United to start direct service to Denver.

The Denver connection had been a top focus for the Airline Attraction Committee, with area companies expressing a great deal of interest in connecting with clients and markets to the east. Keysight Technologies estimates its employees will take between 500 and 1,000 flights annually to and from Denver.

"We have a tremendous opportunity to build off this resource, to further strengthen and diversify our economy in the coming years," says Peter Rumble, CEO of the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber. "United's decision to open up the Santa Rosa market speaks to Sonoma County's increasing appeal both in the business and leisure markets. We're particularly excited about the opportunity to attract new businesses and more in-bound travelers from the high-tech sector. Santa Rosa's appeal as a world class destination, and United's addition of nonstop service to Denver addresses a growing need in our market."

"We're excited that United Airlines is extending their service to Denver," says Brad Calkins, Executive Director of Visit Santa Rosa. "Adding non-stop air service from a strong market like Denver gives both local residents and visitors more travel options including the ability to reach many Midwest and East Coast destinations with one stop from United's major hub in Denver."